As Election Day draws closer, the governor’s race in Washington, a replay of the 2004 contest, keeps getting more competitive. Incumbent Democratic Governor Christine Gregoire now leads by just four percentage points.
A month ago, she was up by six points over Republican challenger Dino Rossi. Two months ago, the incumbent held a seven-point lead and the month before that, Governor Gregoire enjoyed aneleven-point lead.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state shows Gregoire attracting 47% of the vote while Rossie earns 43%. This is the second straight month that Greogoire’s support has stayed below the 50% mark. When “leaners” are included, Gregoire does reach that threshold and leads Rossi 50% to 46%. Leaners are survey participants who initially indicate no preference for either major candidate but indicate that they are leaning towards either McCain or Obama.
The two candidates first faced each other four years ago in a contest so close that it ultimately went to the courts and was won by Gregoire under controversial circumstances.
Rossi is currently supported by 90% of Republicans, Gregoire by 87% of Democrats, and Rossi leads by thirteen points among unaffiliated voters.
Gregoire is viewed favorably by 53%, down three from a month ago. Rossi earns positive review from 51%, up a point since last month.
While viewed favorably by 53% of voters, just 43% say the governor is doing a good or an excellent job. Thirty-five percent (35%) now say Gregoire is doing a poor job.
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This telephone survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on August 6, 2008. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.
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Washington Trends: Rossi vs. Gregoire |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Date |
Rossi |
Gregoire |
|
10/22/2008 |
48% |
50% |
|
48% |
48% |
|
|
52% |
46% |
|
|
43% |
47% |
|
|
43% |
49% |
|
|
43% |
50% |
|
|
41% |
52% |
|
|
46% |
47% |
|
|
47% |
46% |
|
|
Favorable Ratings for Gubernatorial Candidates in Washington |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Rossi |
Gregoire |
|
|
Very Favorable |
32% |
25% |
|
Somewhat Favorable |
20% |
25% |
|
Somewhat Unfavorable |
15% |
19% |
|
Very Unfavorable |
31% |
31% |
|
Not Sure |
2% |
1% |
Rasmussen Reports is an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information.
The Rasmussen Reports ElectionEdge™ Premium Service for Election 2008 offers the most comprehensive public opinion coverage ever provided for a Presidential election.
Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports, has been an independent pollster for more than a decade.
